Number-learning device



Sept. 17, 1929.

E. JANNESON NUMBER LEARNING DEVICE Filed June 3, 1927 BYX A TTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 17, 1929 3 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELIZABETH JANNESON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS NUMBER-LEARNING DEVICE i Application filed June 3, 1927. Serial No. 196,374.

This invention relates to a number-learnto that of every other number. Thus seven ing device, and more particularly to a device is three places above four in the number including means for aiding the children in scale, twelve is two places above ten, etc. In readily learning number facts and number this process the child becomes conscious of 5 processes in their early school years. the numbers from four to seven, in counting 55 The main object of my invention is to prothem, and sees that seven is three numbers vide a device including means for aiding above four in the number scale, and after small children and making it comparatively this process has been repeated many times it easy for them to learn the number processes becomes well known to the child, after a few and number factsintheir early school years, years, and is said to have become subcon- 60 by dealing with things and numbers which scious. they can see, and of which they can be kept It is through my past observation of the conscious, while learning the numbers and above outlined processes that it has become the grouping thereof and the particular popossible for me to form a system for leading sitions of these numbers in the scale of conthe young children into a learning of num- 65 secutive numbers. bers such that their work is a matter of deal- During my years of teaching in the Chiing with things,things which they can cago schools it has become apparent to me, see,and of which they can be kept conthat in the early school years of the young scious, while dealing with those things, and

child, the learning of numbers is a conscious of the numbers represented by them when To process; and is not the same as the process forming the different groups and combinawhich takes place in the mind of the more adtions of groups. vanced child or the adult when computing As a result of the above observations and numbers, after having well learned the numfor the purpose of aiding the children, as

her facts which show the various groupings related above, I have provided a device inof numbers. eluding means to be used by the teachers,

I have found that the child at the beginand by the children themselves in learning ning develops a number concept, at first the number processes and number facts; by forming its concept-of one, then of two, then the use of which device the children can con- 30 three, etc., proceeding upward number by stantly see the process of grouping the numso number. This concept is at first and best bers, and at the same time the relative posiformed by the observation and counting of tion of each number in the number scale. objects; whereafter the child forms its num- The above and other objects and advanber concept by the total amount of names of tages are accomplished with my invention the successive numbers which it must call inas will become apparent from the following to consciousness in order to reach a certain description, taken in connection with the acnumber. Its concept of ten is formed by companying drawing, in which,

having repeatedly called into consciousness Fig. 1 is a plan view of one form of ten names of the first ten numbers in the my number learning device, with the parts 40 number scale in order to reach ten. It next arranged for the study of addition and subacquires a number sense or power of being traction problems; able to realize the number of objects in a Fig. 2 is a plan view of this device, with group; and finally learns the grouping of the parts arranged for learning and working numbers, or number facts, as by observing multiplicatlon and division problems;

45 that four and three are seven, or that ten Fig. 3 is an inverted plan View, showing tens are one hundred. the device from the bottom;

It is now evident to me that the process Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view, takof learning the various number facts is in a en on line 44 of Fig. 3; and large measure that of learning the position Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional View,

50 of each number in the number scale relative taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

In the form of my invention illustrated in the drawing my new device and means comprise a frame 15, which is preferably in the form of a plate with turned-over side flanges 16 thereon; and a bar or ruler 17 slidably mounted therein, and preferably arranged to be removable therefrom. TlllS bar is made rigid or semi-rigid, and is therefore constructed of wood, metal, hard rubber composition, or the like;.and. has a scale of spaced consecutive numbers 18 thereon, substantially in the manner shown in the draw ing. The length of this bar and the amount of numbers placed thereon is varied for the different grades of pupils; the device shown, which hasnumbers oneto twelve provided thereon, being well adapted for pupils of the first and second grades. The frame is preferably likewise made rigid or semi-rigid, ando'f material similar to said bar.

I further provide my device with index means, which preferably comprises closed or endless index bands or collars 20, which fit slidablyon bar 17 and have each a lower extending part or ear 21 flattened or arranged to be grasped by the fingers. These bands in conjunction with frame 1.5 provide the complete index means to be adjusted or set along the bar, for seeing numbers in groups, and thereby learning numberfacts and working number problems.

The index bands are preferably provided in distinct and vivid colors, to attract and interest the child, and the number of bands varies with the size of the device, being preferably one less than half as many as there are numbers on the bar. In the device illustrated in the drawing five bands are used with twelve numbers on the bar, being sufficient to divide the twelve numbers into six groups of 'two numbers each, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing. 7

Means is also provided for resting or storing the index bands which are not required in a numbering rocess or exercise; and this means is preferably provided'by making one end 15 of the frame thinner, as by cutting away the turned-over flanges 16 at said end; the length of this end being made so as to accommodate the number of bands on the device, less one, as at least one band is used in any numbering exercise, as indicated in Fig. 1. These bands fit closely around or snugly embrace this end 15' combined with bar 17 thereon, so as to be retained in a position of rest thereby, as best indicated in Fig. 5.

' I further provide qmeans, preferably in the form of knobs or lugs 22 on the under side of the bar and near its ends, to prevent the bands from sliding off, and being lost, and at least one of these knobs is threaded or removably mounted on the bar. These kn-obs are also arranged to form supportmg means, 111 con]unct1on with curved or curled ends 23 on flanges 16, to support the device a short distance above desk and permit sliding the bands freely thereon, and to permit the device to be readily grasped and raised by the fingers.

U se of the device In using this device for learning number facts, as for grouping numbers, say in adding four and three, one band is placed above number four (see Fig. 1), and the frame is then moved three numbers further upward on the bar, immediately above number seven; thus showing at once to the child that three things or numbers added to four things or numbers equals seven things or numbers, at the same time also bringing clearly before the childs vision and mind that seven is three numbers further upward in the number scale than four; and also keeping in the childs consciousness that there are four numbers in the first group because it sees four separate numbers, and that the three following numbers added thereto make seven numbers together, because it sees the upper number seven as the answer. Likewise in subtracting three from seven, the frame is placed immediately above number seven, and the index band is slid three numbers downward on the bar, thus resting above number four, showing that three from sevenleaves fou and at the same time making it clear to the child that number four is three numbers downward below seven in the number scale, etc.

In using my device for learning multiplication and division, say for grouping six twos or to multiply two by six, the spaced numbers on the scaled bar are separated or set-off by the bands into groups of two numbers, as shown in Fig. 2; while the frame is placed immediately above the last or sixth group; thus showing the child that the six twos are twelve, and at the same time showing the gradual increase, step by step, by twos in this process, and also teaching the child to learn counting by twos, automatically and simultaneously along with this multiplication process, with the use of my device. Likewise in division, as when twelve is to be divided into groups of two numbers each, or to divide twelve by two, the frame is set above twelve and the bands are moved downward on the bar and distributec along the numbers thereon, by setting-off these numbers in groups of twos, as indicated in Fig. 2; thus readily showing that there are six groups of twos in twelve, or that twelve divided by two equals six.

This device greatly interests and attracts the children, and they are taking eagerly to the same, and are learning their number processes and number facts with a live interest and with pleasure, and considerably more rapidly than without the device and under the ordinary method used in the schools. This device thus proves to be a great aid to the children in their early school years in learning their number facts and working their problems rapidly and accurately, and finally automatically, and in learning the same with pleasure instead of going through the old time drudgery system of learning their numbers and number facts and problems.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device comprising a member with spaced numbers thereon, a frame movable over said member, and index means adjustable on said member and placeable between said spaced numbers, to cooperate with said frame on said member for indicating numbering results and to be used in learning number facts.

2. A number-learning device comprising a bar with spaced numbers thereon, a frame movable over said bar to cover the numbers or uncover them, index means adjustably placeable on said bar between said spaced numbers, to cooperate with said frame for indicating numbering results, and means for storing the index means which are not in use.

3. A number-learning device comprising a bar with spaced consecutive numbers thereon, a frame movable over said bar, being adapted to cover numbers thereon, and index bands adjustably placeable on said bar between said spaced numbers and cooperating with said frame to show numbering results and also show the relative position of a number in the number scale.

4. A number-learning device comprising a frame with a thin end, a bar with spaced numbers thereon being slidable in said frame, and bands snugly fitting around said thin end and the bar to be stored when not in use and being adapted to be moved between said numbers and in cooperation with said frame to indicate results for learning number facts.

5. A number-learning device comprising a frame, a bar with spaced numbers thereon being slidable in said frame, and closed bands adjustably movable between said spaced numbers for indicating numbering results in cooperation with said frame, said bands having ears for engagement by the fingers and fitting snugly on the ruler and end of the frame.

6. A number-learning device comprising a frame including a plate with turned-over side flanges, which are cut away at one end, a ruler with consecutive spaced numbers slidably mounted between said flanges, and index bands slidable on the ruler and snugly fitting around it and said end of the frame with cut-away flanges.

7. A number-learning device comprising a frame, a bar with spaced numbers thereon being slidable in said frame, index bands adjustably movable on said bar between said spaced numbers, and projecting means on said bar for preventing loss of said bands therefrom.

8. A number-learning device comprising a frame having bottom flanges with curved portions forming projections, a bar with spaced numbers thereon movable bet-ween said. flanges, elements surrounding said bar and movable between said numbers, and means projecting underneath said bar to prevent removal of said elements and to cooperate with said projecting fian e portions for supporting the device on a. desk and permit free sliding of the elements along said bar.

9. A munber-learning device comprising a frame with bottom flanges, a bar with spaced numbers thereon slidable between said flanges and arranged to have said numbers covered or exposed by moving said frame on said bar, bands adjustably placeable on said bar between said numbers, and knobs underneath said bar to prevent loss of the bands from the bar and to cooperate with means on said flanges for supporting the device on a desk, one of said knobs being removable to permit applying and replacing the bands on the bar.

10. A number-learning device comprising a frame including a plate having turnedover flanges at its sides which are cut-away at one end and curved over at the opposite end to provide supporting projections, a numbered bar slidable between said flanges, index elements slidable on said bar and adapted to be stored on said end with cutaway flanges, and means projecting from said bar to cooperate with said curved flange ends for supporting the device on a desk.

11. A number-learning device comprising a. frame including a plate having turnedover flanges at its sides which are cut-away at one end and curved over at the opposite end providing projections, a bar with consecutive spaced numbers on its upper face which are covered or exposed by sliding said frame on said bar, index bands slidable on said bar to be placed between said numbers for working number exercises and fitting snugly around said end with cut-away flanges and the bar, and members projecting underneath said bar to cooperate with said curved flange ends for supporting the device on a desk and to prevent loss of said bands from the bar.

12. A device for grouping and learning numbers, comprising a bar adapted to be supported in the hand or to be placed 011 a desk and having a scale of numbers thereon, and means movable along said member and selectively placeable with respect to said numbers for arranging said numbers in several groups, for teaching number facts to the young pupils in grammar schools.

13. A device for grouping numbers in teaching number facts, comprising a bar arranged to be supported in the hand and having a scale of successive numbers thereon, and a plurality of means mounted on and movable along said bar, being selectively placeable between the numbers for arrangmg said numbers in certain groups to indicate numbering results, in teaching number facts.

14:. A device for grouping numbers in teaching number facts, comprising, a bar adapted to be supported in the hand and having a scale of spaced successive numbers thereon, and a plurality of means slidable along said bar and selectively placeable thereon With respect to said numbers, said means including elements placeable between said numbers, also means cooperating with said elements on said bar, for arranging said numbers in several groups to indicate numbering results, in teaching number facts.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this s aecification.

E IZABETH JANNESON. 

